Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers pay in California

In California, the median pay for pump operators, except wellhead pumpers is $27.72 an hour ($57,660 a year). About 1,220 people work in this job there.

$27.72Median hourly pay

$44,550–$73,880Middle half of workers, yearly

1,220People in this job in California

That is 7% lower than the U.S. median ($61,770). California ranks 26th of 37 states and territories for this job’s median pay.

Pay range for pump operators, except wellhead pumpers in California

Earns more than	Hourly	Yearly
10% of workers	$17.53	$36,470
25% of workers	$21.42	$44,550
Half of workers (median)	$27.72	$57,660
75% of workers	$35.52	$73,880
90% of workers	$41.54	$86,390

Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers pay in California metro areas

Metro area	Median yearly pay	People in this job
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont	$71,780	110
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim	$63,060	250
Bakersfield-Delano	$60,990	40
Fresno	$59,540	40
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad	$53,980	90
Visalia	$39,520	30

California unemployment rate: 5.1% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Education, experience and outlook for pump operators, except wellhead pumpers

Typical education to start: High school diploma or equivalent (BLS)
Related work experience most have: 1 to 2 years (O*NET)
Training on the job: Moderate-term on-the-job training (BLS)
Job outlook: +4.3% over ten years, about as fast as average · about 1,000 openings a year (BLS)

Related jobs in California

Job	Median yearly pay
Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders	$52,910
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators	$81,770
Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators	$90,650
Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders	$58,300
Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers	$103,250
Power Plant Operators	$105,210
Chemical Plant and System Operators	$87,550
Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand	$44,710

Other job titles for this job

Monitor Car OperatorTank Farm OperatorPump OperatorGas Transfer OperatorAcid LoaderAcid Pump OperatorAirveyor OperatorBoom Pump OperatorBooster Station OperatorBrewery PumperCaustic Pump OperatorChemical Pumper

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.